Remarks at Physics Picnic Today

[Winer, Brian]

   Dear all,

     I want to share with you a message that I received this morning from John Whitcomb, please see below.

    Brian Winer

=================

Ref: Our meeting, 24 April, Professor Furnstahl also attending

Dear Professor Winer,

Please accept my sincere apology for any insensitive remarks I may have made today. I have strived to honor remarkable achievements made by Department staff while trying to add to the joyous environment of the event. This desire should in no way be at expense of anybody's feeling of safety, security, and professional treatment. My first concern is with each and every department member who may have been affected by my remarks. Secondly, I worry that insensitive remarks could negatively affect the climate that the Department has worked so hard to achieve. This includes my own efforts over a fifteen year career in the Department.

Please relay my deepest apology to Department members as you see fit. You may use all or part of this email, if you wish.

Thank you for the very prompt feedback you and Professor Furnstahl provided today. Dorothy and I had a rewarding visit. Thank you for your hospitality.

John
[cid:image001.png at 01D33090.F3CB57D0]

Brian L. Winer
Professor and  Chair
Department of Physics
1040R Physics Research Building
614-292-2653 Office
winer at physics.osu.edu<mailto:winer at physics.osu.edu>






On Apr 24, 2018, at 2:34 PM, Winer, Brian <winer.12 at osu.edu<mailto:winer.12 at osu.edu>> wrote:


Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,

     I wish to communicate to you my displeasure with the sexist and inappropriate remarks made by John Whitcomb today while distributing the Physics Staff Award.  Unfortunately his remarks detracted from honoring excellence among the staff in the  department.  I cannot over emphasize that these remarks do not represent our core values in the department.  As a community we have been working to improve the climate within the department.  Today’s event was a stark reminder of how far we have to go.

   Prof. Furnstahl, Chair of the Climate & Diversity committee, and I met with John Whitcomb to discuss his remarks and convey our concerns. John understands his remarks were inappropriate and was mortified that he detracted from the ceremony.  He has told me that he will be providing a written apology to the department later this week.  I will be working with the Climate and Diversity Committee to discuss what next steps are appropriate.

  Brian Winer

<image001.png>

Brian L. Winer
Professor and  Chair
Department of Physics
1040R Physics Research Building
614-292-2653 Office
winer at physics.osu.edu<mailto:winer at physics.osu.edu>






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